KSHV co-infection, a new co-factor for HPV-related cervical carcinogenesis?

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the etiological agent of cervical cancer and some other cancers. Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) represents a principal causative agent of several human cancers arising in those immunocompromised patients. In fact, KSHV DNA has been detected in the female genital tract, and this virus may share some transmission routes with HPV, although the detection rate of KSHV in cervical samples is very low and the KSHV/HPV co-infection is seldom reported. Currently, it remains unclear about the role of KSHV co-infection in the development of HPV-related neoplasias. In this article, we have summarized the recent finding from clinic and bench indicating KSHV co-infection may represent a co-factor for the development of HPV-related carcinogenesis.